Fired Fox News freelance gossip columnist Roger Friedman’s lawyer, Martin Garbus, is making an explosive claim to journalists that Wolverine‘s Internet leak can be blamed on boss Rupert Murdoch. I’m shocked that Garbus, a respected NYC attorney who often defends media, is saying this. Is he merely repeating the rumor that has been making the rounds since April, or does he have facts to back up his contention?

Garbus told the New York Daily News‘ Rush & Molloycolumn that the piracy occurred because Murdoch asked the studio to make him a DVD copy of the unfinished movie. “Apparently, someone made another copy for themselves,” Garbus said. (This is different from the rumor as I heard it: that Murdoch was anxious to bring the film on board his yacht and asked 20th Century Fox to make a copy for him. But then Murdoch had outside people do it, and that’s how the film leaked onto the web.) Sources tell me Rupert saw a rough cut on the lot weeks before Wolverine was pirated.

Garbus told Rush & Molloy that he will be filing a “slam dunk” wrongful termination lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court this week over Fox News’ recent firing of Roger Friedman. News Corp stated publicly that Friedman’s promotion of Internet piracy was the cause of his firing. But Garbus contends that 4 of the gossip writer’s “editors and superiors” reviewed and okayed the column. As for Friedman, he’s claiming he was axed because of pressure from Hollywood Scientologists who didn’t like his coverage of their religion. It will be interesting to see how The Hollywood Reporter reacts to this lawsuit by its newly hired blogger.

23 Comments

Does anyone really believe that if Rupert Murdoch wanted to watch Wolverine on his yacht and asked for a DVD copy that his “studio refused”? Sure they did…

Sweaty Wad of Cash • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

If Friedman’s legal team play their cards right, he’ll never have to worry about blogging again. He could spend the rest of his life lighting cigars with aflame hundred-dollar bills on a yacht of his own.

Rupey’s got some mighty deep pockets. I hope he gets taken to the cleaners.

Jike Spingleton • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Whatever you might think about Friedman’s journalistic integrity, he did seem to dig up some very interesting info about Isaac Hayes:

Granted, Friedman’s anti-Valkyrie vendetta was a bit over-the-top. He started dissing the movie long before he had seen it or had anything solid to report about it.

theorist • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Wouldn’t be surprising… Fox host Greta is a member of Scientology

Frank • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Those links to the Friedman/Isaac Hayes articles are an interesting development. So, not only did Scientologist thugs bully Isaac into quitting South Park, they also are bullying Friedman. Looks like their heavyhanded tactics backfired when Isaac decided to leave none of his estate to the cult. Anyone who’s personally been on the receiving end of a creepy Scientologist offensive will see that this angle that Garbus puts forward rings true. The whole blaming piracy on Rupert seems a little farfetched though.

“Murdoch asked the studio to make him a DVD copy of the unfinished movie” & “Apparently, someone made another copy for themselves,” and that’s how the leak got out?

If so, I wouldn’t say Murdoch caused the leak. Whoever made the extra copy and leaked it, caused the leak? Is it that unusual for an exec to ask for a copy of a movie pre-release?

marc • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

How about this. Roger Friedman is a loser. He got fired for his MORONIC article about how easy it was to download a movie stolen from the same studio that pays him! WHO WOULDN’T FIRE THE GUY. Besides which, he has personal vendettas against A list celebrities who won’t cow tow to his threats. And is on Harvey Weinsteins payroll (what’s left of it.)

Roger NO ONE BELIVES YOU. The fact that you’re working is a miracle in and of itself. Quit while you’re ahead. You sir, are no Nikki Finke.

Scientology is notoriously litigious and has long history of using money and celebrity power to shut down criticism in the media. What Roger Friedman is claiming most likely has some truth to it.

Warner Borg • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Scientology? With the ol’ Cruiser desperate for a hit and My Name Is Earl cancelled what exactly are they doing with their time now?

Scientology are fading faster than Heidi & Spencer from The Hills. A Playboy shoot with no nudity?

Great move Heidi. Great move.

*roll eyes*

realworldperson • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Just saw a Scientology ad on msnbc at 7:30 am. was really geared for people in their 20’s. Never made a call before, but I gotta call msnbc and lit them know Morning Joe by starbucks is one thing. Cults are another.

Axel • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Don´t you think this is fascinating? A mediocre journalist becoming a celebrity because he was FIRED? Only in America!

Troy • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

I have heard this too, Murdoch has been known to request copies. Also, don’t think for a second copies of new shows don’t go to Murdoch and members of his family before they get the green light at Fox. With as many execs as Fox has, there’s still one that makes the final decision – always. It’s a town filled with five men who make the decisions about what we see.

Evan Handler • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

There seems to be something missing from the comments that’s crucial to Roger’s defense: all articles printed in any major publication are subject to examination, alteration, and approval of various editors and/or publishers. If higher-ups approved Friedman’s column – which, to anyone who’s written for a magazine, is without question – why is he being punished? He submitted a column, got approval, and they printed it. He didn’t print it on his home computer. So, he’s terminated because, within his column, he admitted to once viewing pirated material? Then he should have been terminated before the column ran, by those who read it…but they’re the same ones who chose to print it. That’s like a form of entrapment. Doesn’t seem like fair treatment to me.

Anyway, I like Roger. He’s a good egg, who’s never been anything other than gracious with me. I’m rooting for you, Rog.

Warner Borg, no matter the downturn of some of their actors, Zenu’s still got a lot a lot a lot of money and even if they are starting to hurt, nothing bites harder than a wounded animal. And I mean no disrespect to animals comparing them to the culties.

the subversive soul

wally • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

I wanna know who thinks someone told Murdoch No….ridiculous really.
Roger was fired for a variety of reasons, the last article was just pointed out to keep the studio’s stance on piracy out there. But I love a good lawsuit, it gives us information we might not have had before…
Sue on..

W.G. • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

He got fired because he’s a no talent horse’s ass – the X-Men was only the last straw in a long string of amazingly stupid screwups. It was WAY past due, in fact, amazing that it took THIS long! And even more amazing that he even worked in the first place.

Charles Grossman • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Even if the leak was caused by Mr. Murdoch’s security breach, what difference does that make in the wrongful termination case? Mr. Friedman was fired for praising leaks, regardless of whether they come from pirates, hackers, or Mr. Murdoch’s carelessness. However, if Mr. Garbus can prove the other Internet rumor, that Fox deliberately leaked the unfinished movie, and then did everything in its power to publicize the movie through controversy over the leak — well, that might make for a much more interesting discussion about Mr. Friedman’s termination.

Anonymous • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

Interesting how Tom is doing a Fox film and Katie is embarrassing herself and doing a Fox reality show. There may be some truth to what Roger has to say after all.

didn't know that... • on Jun 14, 2009 11:31 am

“Wouldn’t be surprising… Fox host Greta is a member of Scientology

Comment by theorist”

She’s a FOX News host AND she’s a Scientologist?! A person can’t get any more evil than that! Unless you’re the devil himself.